Phrase guide

hit the pause button

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To pause some process; to make a temporary halt.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Examples

  • 2026 February 17, Sean Seddon, Angus Thompson, Bernadette McCague, "Dual nationals face scramble for UK passports as new rules come into force" (BBC News) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2d9yk2kpjo She has called on the government to "urgently hit the pause button" and introduce a "low-cost, one-off travel authorisation" for dual nationals who have found their travel plans disrupted.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.